The rule “Blood on the horse leads to elimination from the competition” is once again under threat. At the upcoming FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong on November 5 this year, a proposal for a rule change will be presented to the delegates. The initiative comes from the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC). The intention is to soften the existing “No Blood” rule. Riders whose horses show blood under certain conditions would no longer be eliminated but receive a warning and be allowed to continue competing. If a horse bites its lip or tongue, the blood is to be wiped away, and the rider may continue if the horse is still considered fit to compete. The fundamental principle “Blood on the horse always leads to elimination from the class” would thus be removed from the jumping regulations. The German Equestrian Federation (FN) is, in principle, supportive of this idea, although it still sees a number of points requiring clarification.
The Proposal in Detail
The proposal states that any blood on the horse caused by the bridle, equipment, or the rider during a competition will lead to consequences. This is referred to as direct bleeding.
Specifically, this means:
- A first occurrence leads to a warning.
- A second occurrence also leads to a warning.
If the rider receives multiple warnings (this applies only to show jumping) within twelve months, a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs and a one-month suspension will follow.
In other cases where blood is detected (indirect bleeding) because the horse has, for example, bitten its tongue or lip, or in cases of nosebleeds, officials may wipe or wash away the blood. Horse and rider may continue competing unless the horse is deemed unfit to compete. In cases where the injury is self-inflicted or involves nosebleeds, the athlete will not receive a warning, provided this article applies.
The Position of the German Equestrian Federation (FN)
As part of the standard procedure where national federations may provide feedback, the FN stated:
“GER NF – We generally welcome the idea of issuing a warning for show jumping (Jumping Recorded Warning).
However, the distinction between minor and more than minor blood could lead to inconsistent outcomes across events and officials. How could this be defined to ensure uniform handling?”
A response to our press inquiry from the FN is still pending (understandably, as the timeline is very short; we will report).
FEI Proposal – Full Translation:
“259.1 Any blood on the horse caused by bridle or equipment or brought about by the rider/athlete, detected during a competition (from warm-up until the conclusion of any post-competition checks/testing), will result in the following consequences for the Person Responsible, as determined by the President of the Ground Jury:
- First occurrence: Jumping Recorded Warning
- Second occurrence: Jumping Recorded Warning
If the same Person Responsible receives two or more Jumping Recorded Warnings at the same or another event within 12 months of the first warning, they will be issued a fine of CHF 1,000 and automatically receive a one-month suspension; this suspension begins the day after the last day of the event at which the second warning was issued. The FEI will inform the Person Responsible and confirm the dates of the suspension. For avoidance of doubt: FEI notification after the suspension has already begun does not delay or reverse the start of the suspension.
259.2 In other cases of blood on the horse detected during a competition (for example, if the horse has bitten its own tongue or lip, or in cases of nosebleeds), officials may authorize the blood to be rinsed or wiped off and allow the athlete/horse combination to continue, provided the horse is not deemed unfit to compete under Article 259.3. The athlete will not receive a Jumping Recorded Warning if this article applies.
259.3 In all cases of blood on the horse under this Jumping Rule Article 259, the horse may remain in competition or participate in subsequent competitions at the event only if the Ground Jury, in consultation with the Veterinary Delegate, has determined that the horse is fit to compete.”
Sources:
- The proposal can be found on p. 33.
- Downloadable from the FEI website: ANNEX Pt 14.2 – GA25 Jumping Rules Memo (PDF) Inside FEI
- Archived version: bloodrule_versuch_2025_14.2_GA25_Jumping Rules Memo
Background:
- 25 October 2025: We launch another petition to keep the “No-Blood Rule” unchanged.
- 2025: Show jumpers attempt to weaken the rule at FEI level — our article from March 2025 on this initiative, now coming to a vote.
- 2022: At the CHIO Aachen, three dressage riders were rung out of competition due to blood in the horse’s mouth.
- 2015: In Kentucky, Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival were eliminated due to blood in the mouth, sparking renewed debate. The IDRC (International Dressage Riders Club) initiate a new proposal: The proposal at the time was as follows: „If the judge at C believes they have detected fresh blood on any part of the horse’s body that does not originate from the mouth, the spurs, or the whip, the pair shall be halted and the horse examined. If the horse is bleeding but is still considered ‘fit to compete’, the pair may resume their test from the point at which they were stopped. The horse must then be presented to an FEI veterinarian immediately after the test to ensure that it can continue to compete the following day. However, if the blood comes from the mouth, the spurs, or the whip, the horse must be disqualified. This decision is final.“ This proposal did not prevail.
- 2011: Dressur-Studien | Fair zum Pferd launched a petition against an attempt by Dutch dressage riders to abolish the No-Blood Rule. The petition succeeded.
